§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the purpose of his visit to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth; who invited him; and when the visit was set up; [2398]
(2) if he will take steps to assist Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust to recover the money from other health trusts which is currently owed for patient care; and if he will conduct an inquiry into the causes of the Trust's deficit; [2400]
(3) what discussions he held on the budgetary problems of Portsmouth Hospitals Trust in the current financial year during the visit on 2 June; and if he will make a statement. [2399]
§ Mr. MilburnFollowing an approach by my hon. Friend the member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) in whose constituency Queen Alexandra Hospital is situated, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expressed an interest in visiting the hospital and was warmly welcomed by the Chairman and the Chief Executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust on 2 June. The purpose of the visit was to tour the hospital, inspect its facilities and meet staff and patients. The arrangements were made during the week preceding the visit.
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust had a very small deficit at the end of the last financial year, but is not currently in deficit. No monies are owed to the trust by other NHS trusts. Discussions during the visit centred around the contracting process, the level of costs incurred by NHS trusts and the internal market.